Sarajevo | Define Sarajevo at Dictionary.com Sarajevo [sar-uh-yey-voh; Serbo-Croatian. sah-rah-ye-vaw] /ˌsær əˈyeɪ voʊ; Serbo-Croatian. ˈsɑ rɑ yɛ vɔ/ Spell noun 1. a city in and the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the central part: assassination of the Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand here June 28, 1914, was the final event that precipitated World War I. Expand noun 1. a republic in S Europe: formerly (1945–92) a constituent republic of Yugoslavia. 19,909 sq. mi. (51,565 sq. km). Capital: Sarajevo. Examples from the Web for Sarajevo Expand British Dictionary definitions for Sarajevo Expand noun 1.

the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina: developed as a Turkish town in the 15th century; capital of the Turkish and Austro-Hungarian administrations in 1850 and 1878 respectively; scene of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, precipitating World War I; besieged by Bosnian Serbs (1992–95). Pop: 603 000 (2005 est) Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for Sarajevo Expand capital of Bosnia, founded 15c.

and named in Turkish as Bosna-Saray, "Palace on the (River) Bosna," from saray (see caravanserai ); the modern name is a Slavic adjectival form of saray. Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper Expand Sarajevo [(sar-uh-yay-voh, sahr-uh-yay-voh)] The city in Bosnia and Herzegovina where the assassination that brought on World War I took place. Archduke Francis Ferdinand , the heir to the throne of the Austrian Empire, had come to Sarajevo on a state visit; Sarajevo was then in one of the South Slavic provinces of the Austrian Empire. A young student who favored South Slavic independence shot and killed the archduke. Austria held the assassin's home country, Serbia, responsible for the incident and declared war; complex European alliances then brought other countries into the fight. Note: In 1992 the city came under prolonged and bloody siege by Bosnian Serbs seeking to drive Bosnian Muslims from their homes.

In 1995 leaders of the rival Balkan states of Bosnia, Croatia , and Serbia met in the United States and settled on a peace accord to end the fighting. Sarajevo [(sar-uh-yay-voh, sahr-uh-yay-voh)] Note: The Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand was assassinated there in 1914, which was the immediate cause of World War I . (See under “World History since 1550.”) Note: Home of the 1982 winter Olympic Games . Note: Attacked and severely damaged in 1992 by Serbian militia. In 1995, leaders of the rival Balkan states of Bosnia, Croatia , and Serbia met in the United States and settled on a peace accord to end the fighting. Bosnia and Herzegovina [(boz-nee-uh; hert-suh-goh-vee-nuh, hert-suh-goh-vee-nuh)] Republic in southeastern Europe on the west Balkan Peninsula , bordered by Croatia to the west and north, Yugoslavia to the east, with a small outlet to the Adriatic Sea to the west.

Sarajevo is the country's capital and largest city. Note: Sarajevo was the site of the assassination in 1914 of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand , which sparked World War I . Note: In the early 1990s, brutal attacks by Serbian militia devastated the region, arousing international condemnation. In 1995, leaders of the rival Balkan states of Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia met in the United States and ended the fighting with a peace accord. The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Sarajevo, capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina All... Sarajevo, capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina As you explore Sarajevo, you may find yourself wondering how a people who have suffered so much created such a vibrant, vivacious city. The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina came close to complete annihilation in the 1990s but has bounced backed to become a premier travel destination and one of the most interesting cities in Europe.

A living history museum, Sarajevo is filled with churches, mosques, cathedrals and government buildings constructed by Austria-Hungarians and the Ottoman Turks. It also is filled with charm, from the bustling city center to the cozy bars and coffeehouses and artisans' workshops. The village-like atmosphere quickly makes visitors feel comfortable, and many find themselves wanting to stay in Sarajevo much longer than they originally planned. Old Town is the crowning glory of Sarajevo. Oriental-style shops line the cobbled streets, competing for space with some of the world's most beautiful religious institutions. It is one of the few places in the world where you can hear the Islamic call to prayer while walking past an Orthodox church, a catholic cathedral or a synagogue at the same time. All four religions share one block of the neighborhood, exemplifying the diversity of the city. Built in 1531, the Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque is particularly worth visiting. The superb internal decorations are a delight for the eyes, featuring colorful lines, patterns and calligraphy in cotton-candy pastel shades that highlight every architectural feature. A number of museums give visitors background for deeper exploration of Sarajevo's past, people and culture.

The best is the Bosnian Historical Museum, where a moving display on the city's siege will haunt visitors long after they leave. Especially heartbreaking are the pictures drawn by children who lived through the experience. Inside Sarajevo Tunnel The Tunnel Museum paints a picture of the city's hopes and horrors during the 1990s. During the siege, the tunnel was used to transport supplies into the city and to access the airport, but those trying to enter it were pummeled with sniper fire and overhead artillery while waiting to go through. Walking through the space, you can almost feel the anxiety and urgency in the atmosphere even today. In a city rich with so much history, it is hard to choose a most significant place, but the Latin Bridge is definitely a contender. In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria crossed the bridge in an open car after stopping to admire the town hall. Gavrilo Princip pulled the trigger on his pistol, killing the archduke and his wife and sparking a war between Serbia and Austria-Hungary. Thanks to a web of alliances in Europe, this act led to the First World War. The remnants of war are still visible throughout many parts of the capital.

As you walk through the streets, look down at the sidewalk to spot red roses made of concrete. The flower-shaped indentations mark where shells exploded and are now icons of the war. The hills that surround the capital offer incredible views of the city, but the fields, wooded areas and grass are still riddled with landmines. Stay safe by sticking to the sidewalks as you hike, enjoy the views and discover some of the wooden mosques that have survived the war. The Yellow Fortress also provides incredible views of the city from its place at the Old Town's eastern end. The nearby cemetery is filled with locals killed during the war, providing a powerful reminder of the country's past. These sights also show just how far Sarajevo has come since the war's end. Sarajevo Geographical Location Sarajevo is located in the central southeast of Bosnia and Herzegovina along the Milijacka River. It is its largest city with a population of approximately 664,000. Sarajevo Language Bosnian and Croatian are the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina with Serbian also being common throughout the country.

Sarajevo Predominant Religion Two Decades After Siege, Sarajevo Still A City Divided : NPR Two Decades After Siege, Sarajevo Still A City Divided Embed Embed Two Decades After Siege, Sarajevo Still A City Divided Two Decades After Siege, Sarajevo Still A City Divided Embed Embed Twenty years ago this week, the Bosnian war began with the siege of Sarajevo, the capital. In this photo, smoke billows from a building in downtown Sarajevo, April 22, 1992, after a Serbian mortar attack. H. Delich/AP hide caption toggle caption H. Delich/AP Twenty years ago this week, the Bosnian war began with the siege of Sarajevo, the capital. In this photo, smoke billows from a building in downtown Sarajevo, April 22, 1992, after a Serbian mortar attack. H. Delich/AP April 6 marks the 20th anniversary of the start of the Bosnian war and the siege of Sarajevo. It was the longest siege of a capital city in modern history, and produced the worst atrocities in Europe since World War II.

Over three-and-a-half years of war, 100,000 people were killed, and half of Bosnia's population of 4.4 million — made up of a plurality of Muslims — fled their homes. NPR's Sylvia Poggioli covered the war and reports that today, despite the intervention of the international community, ethnic division is deeply entrenched in what some analysts describe as a failed state. Enlarge this image On April 6, 1992, a Bosnian special forces soldier (third from right) returns fire from Serbians opposed to Bosnian independence as civilians seek cover in downtown Sarajevo. The day marked the beginning of the 44-month siege of Sarajevo, which left 100,000 dead. Mike Persson/AFP/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Mike Persson/AFP/Getty Images On April 6, 1992, a Bosnian special forces soldier (third from right) returns fire from Serbians opposed to Bosnian independence as civilians seek cover in downtown Sarajevo. The day marked the beginning of the 44-month siege of Sarajevo, which left 100,000 dead.

Mike Persson/AFP/Getty Images Even Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital, has its Occupy movement, consisting of dozens of tents outside the government building. The protest is a rare example of ethnic unity — angry Muslim, Croat and Serb veterans demanding that the government respect its promise to pay them pensions. Samir Causevic, a Muslim, vents his anger at the politicians. "These are just liars sitting here. They want us to become thieves, to steal around to be able to get some food for our kids, just to feed them," Causevic says. Darko Ninic is a Croat who fought to defend the city. "The war was another time. We were all much younger and had to obey our leaders," Ninic says. "Now, we're all together in this struggle. We must not forget the war, but we have to move on." Milovir Savic, a Serb who fired on the city from the surrounding hills, stands next to his former enemies. "There's no winner in this war, and if the politicians continue like this, there's no future for us here," Savic says. Credit: Melanie Taube/NPR 'First Reality Show In The Modern World' Twenty years ago, Yugoslavia was falling apart.

After war in Croatia, ethnic tensions exploded in Bosnia, another former province. Serbs — Bosnia's second-largest ethnic group — opposing independence opened fire on a peace demonstration in the capital, killing two women. That was the start of the war and of the siege of Sarajevo. Article continues after sponsorship "We were the first reality show in the modern world," says theater director Haris Pasovic. Like most Bosnians, the 50-year-old is still bitter that Western governments stood by for more than three years before intervening against Serbian forces. "Viewers around the globe could watch live people in Sarajevo being murdered or starved, people killed on the street, people going for miles to collect some water," he says. Sarajevo was inexplicable: a medieval-like siege in late 20th-century Europe, its citizens locked in as Serbs fired cannons at schools, libraries and hospitals, while snipers took aim at people gathering water or attending funerals. Over 44 months, more than 11,000 people were killed and 50,000 wounded.

Enlarge this image A Bosnian teenager carrying containers of water walks in front of destroyed trams at Skenderia square in the besieged Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, in this picture taken June 22, 1993 (top), and a woman passes through the same square, April 1, 2012. Oleg Popov/Reuters /Landov hide caption toggle caption Oleg Popov/Reuters /Landov A Bosnian teenager carrying containers of water walks in front of destroyed trams at Skenderia square in the besieged Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, in this picture taken June 22, 1993 (top), and a woman passes through the same square, April 1, 2012. Oleg Popov/Reuters /Landov Today, Besieged By Politicians For the survivors, the siege remains the defining moment of their lives. And for many who were children, it was not always a nightmare.

"A lot of people don't believe it, but we as kids had a lot of fun," says Yusuf Hadzic, a 28-year-old who works at a DVD store in Sarajevo's new shopping mall. "I often played in the park with the dogs of the special units, then we stole the dog food [to eat]," he says. "But it was tasty, really," he says, adding that they had no meat. Today, paradoxically, Hadzic feels besieged in a different way — this time by politicians who use ethnic divisions to stay in power "All of them push their religion like a shield but in the background fill up their pockets," he says. "That is the worst thing that could happen to this country." International watchdogs say Bosnia today has one of the highest government corruption rates in Europe and its economy is in shambles. Unemployment is at more than 40 percent, and a major source of revenue is remittances from Bosnians abroad. Hopes For Restoring Multi-Ethnic Tapestry? But Bosnia's major problem, analysts say, is division along ethnic lines. Those divisions are endorsed by the country's constitution and enshrined in the 1995 Dayton peace accord.

Srecko Latal, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, says the country is divided into virtual mono-ethnic enclaves. The Dayton accord split Bosnia into two semi-autonomous entities, a joint Muslim-Croat federation, and what is called the Serbian republic. Together, the two entities form Bosnia, which has a three-way rotating presidency — with one president for each ethnic group. In this photo from 1992, women run across "Sniper Alley" under the sights of Serb gunmen during the siege of Sarajevo. Tom Stoddart/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Tom Stoddart/Getty Images In this photo from 1992, women run across "Sniper Alley" under the sights of Serb gunmen during the siege of Sarajevo. Tom Stoddart/Getty Images Affiliation to one of the three constituent groups — Muslim, Croat and Serb — is a requirement for election to the presidency and many other offices. This means that minorities — for example, Roma and Jews — are barred from running for the Bosnian presidency. "Radical nationalist ethnic rhetoric has been a proven recipe for winning elections, and many politicians have been winning elections since the end of the war this way," Latal says.

Even education is strictly segregated. Children from different ethnic groups — often in the same building — follow totally separate curricula. Ahmet Alibasic, a professor at the University of Sarajevo's Faculty of Islamic Studies, says the result is that today, most Muslim, Croat and Serb children are totally ignorant about each other. "I must admit I am a bit worried, because many of the causes of the conflict are still there," Alibasic says. "Given the wrong combinations of conditions and circumstances, they might produce another conflict." Hopes of restoring Bosnia's prewar multi-ethnic tapestry have proved elusive. Many Bosnians hope that commemorating the 20th anniversary of the start of the war will revive international attention and stimulate efforts to build a more inclusive society. Sarajevo - Sarajevo Mountains SARAJEVO Tweet Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the largest urban, economic and cultural center. In Sarajevo, located almost all state institutions. Sarajevo is located in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina belongs to the canton of Sarajevo.

According to the census of the 1991st year, it had a population of 416,497, while the same census was 527,049 inhabitants (known today as space Sarajevo Canton). According to preliminary results of the census of the 2013th year, the city of Sarajevo has 297,422 inhabitants, while the Canton area counts 438,443 inhabitants. Although Sarajevo ranks among the smaller towns, because of its rich historical and cultural heritage, is known from some world capitals. On the bank of the river Miljacka city of Sarajevo arises arrival of the Ottomans 1435th year. As the founder of Sarajevo is mentioned Isa Bey Ishakovic which is in 1462. Issued an order for the construction of several public institutions, the first mosque and palace. The name Sarajevo comes from the Turkish seraglio - ovasi which in translation means "field around the palace".

After the Ottoman Empire in Bosnia comes Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1878, which brought significant influence of European culture and especially architecture in this region. The Austro-Hungarian influence can still be seen around Sarajevo. When visiting one of the easternmost towns of the then empire 1914th year, the Austrian crown prince Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were victims of assassination. Given that political relations in Europe and then the world was extremely tense, this event was also an occasion for the beginning of the First World War that Sarajevo has made globally famous. In Bosnia and Herzegovina the event meant the beginning of the turbulent 20th century, in which the state and its capital city became part of various national planning. With the end of the Second World War, Bosnia and Herzegovina became part of the former Yugoslavia. In 1984th in Sarajevo again attracted the world‘s attention, but this time in a positive way. That year was held in Sarajevo Winter Olympic Games. Besides Sarajevo, the other candidate cities were Sapporo (Japan) and Falun / Göteborg (Sweden).

After the Soviet Union, this is the second Olympic Games took place in a communist country. For Yugoslavia, Sarajevo Olympics was an opportunity to show the world in the best possible light, even though it was during the Great Depression. At the games are consumed vast financial resources, and built a large number of impressive buildings and other infrastructure. Authorities had selfless support of the citizens of Sarajevo. On this occasion there was a popularization of winter sports who until then had been almost unheard of in this part of Yugoslavia. Positive image of Sarajevo who takes a very short time because already in 1992., The city once again attracted the attention of the public, but this time the aggression on Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is implied in particular the destruction of capital. Sarajevo will be remembered in history as a modern city that has been under the longest siege - 1425 days! Sarajevo boasts well- preserved buildings from different periods of its rich history. He is also known as the Jerusalem of Europe because the narrow town center are mosques, Catholic and Orthodox churches, and synagogues.

It is interesting to point out that in the 15th and 16th century Bosnia and Herzegovina settled Jews expelled from Spain, Sephardim. Over the centuries have become a significant part of the BiH society and culture, and their descendants still live in Sarajevo. In addition to the religious, the city is full of other interesting objects such as Gazi Husrev beg bezistan in the old town dating from the Ottoman period, the National Museum, whose founders and builders of the Austro-Hungarian governors. One of the symbols of the city‘s Town Hall from the time of Austro-Hungarians, the former Evangelical Church, and today the Academy of Fine Arts and the National Theatre, Sarajevo post office building on the banks of the Miljacka, the White bastion offense from the time of the Ottoman Empire, and later annexed by the Austro-Hungarians, Home Army, the building of the Presidency, as well as many other facilities. Sarajevo is a regional festival town. Throughout the year in Sarajevo, numerous festivals, including the most popular of the Sarajevo Film Festival, which was created during the war and is traditionally held during the summer.

But the big attraction are the Jazz Fest Sarajevo Winter Festival, MESS and Baščaršijske night. In addition, there are numerous small festivals and fairs. The city of Sarajevo is located on three rivers: the Miljacka, Bosnia and Trains. Through the center and most of the city flows the river Miljacka, while Sarajevo is located near the source of the river Bosna river by which the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its name. For decades, the source of the river Bosna is regulated and is a popular resort Sarajevans but also many tourists who come to tour the city. By the spring of Bosnia is over 100 years old alley of plane that was built in the Austro-Hungarian period. In addition to the avenue are beautiful villas former Austro-Hungarian elite which still attract the attention of passers-by. In addition to the river in Sarajevo and surrounding beautiful mountain where they held the Olympic Games: Bjelasnica, Igman, Jahorina and Trebevic. These mountains are popular destinations for both of Sarajevo, as well as tourists from around the world.

In addition to architecture, significant legacy of empires which belonged to Bosnia during its history and gastronomy. We can safely say that the Bosnian cuisine blend of East and West. So in Sarajevo can also find great Viennese steak and Turkish dolma. However, the most popular dishes among the population and tourists are unsurpassed Sarajevo Sarajevo unique pies and meatballs. After a delicious main meal, there are many pastry shops in Sarajevo used by Sacher and Havana cake, baklava, tufahije and other numerous achievements Sarajevo pastry chefs. Due to the above Sarajevo is not indifferent even the biggest critics of tourism in the world. That is why this city regularly appears in various international publications, TV shows and Internet portals as one of the most recommended tourist destinations. Very often, by the various tourism organizations ranked in the top ten tourist destinations in the world. / 0 comments 1. Sarajevo city is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, situated on the Miljacka River and it has always been smack bang on a geopolitical fault line. 2. During the Roman Empire Sarajevo together with Bosnia was a border city between the Eastern and Western Roman Empires. 3.

In the Middle Ages city had the name Vrh-Bosna until it fell under the control of the Ottoman Empire in 1429 and was renamed Bosna-Saraj or Bosna-Seraj. 4. During the Berlin Congress in 1878 Sarajevo was taken from the Ottomans and given to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, again right on the border line between two Empires, between East and West, between Islam and Christianity. 5. In the last 100 years Sarajevo has been a member of six different states. 6. On the 28thof June 1914 WWI was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria with his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg. 7. The city has 10 bridges over the Miljacka River. The most famous one is the Latin Bride or Princip Bridge, the name of assassin of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The bridge is on the coat of arms of Sarajevo. 8. The city-wide tram service was the very first in Europe. Locals proudly insist that the Austro-Hungarians modelled Vienna’s tram system on theirs. 9.

The first Winter Olympic Games in Communist country were held in Sarajevo in February 1984, winning over Sapporo, Japan and Gothenburg, Sweden. 10. Sarajevo had the longest-running siege of any town in modern war history (1425 days). Sarajevo was, and still is, a very culturally mixed city proudly known as the European Jerusalem – within a very short walking distance you come across Orthodox and Catholic churches, synagogues and mosques. For a walking tour of Sarajevo please email tara@readyclickandgo.com or visit our website Share this: Sarajevo - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Information Sarajevo - Useful Information Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina . This page will present you with the general information on the country and the city of Sarajevo. The page includes important phone numbers and other information that would help you focus your interest and make your stay in Sarajevo a pleasant one. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a central European country located on the Balkan peninsula. The population 2007 is estimated to about 4,5 million people.

Geographically the country borders between Croatia on one and Montenegro and Serbia on the other side. The most of the country is continental with the exception of a thin access strip on the Adriatic Sea in Neum effectively cutting of the Croatian coastline in two parts. Thus, when travelling from northern part of Croatia to Dubrovnik you pass the border at Neum. The country is mostly hilly and mountainous and as such abundant in ore. Formerly Bosnia and Herzegovina was one of the six republics constituting the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. During the Yugoslav war the country gained its independance. Today, in Bosnia and Herzegovina live three ethnic groups, Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks, which is basically determined by religious descent: Croats are Catholic, Serbs are Orthodox, and Bosniaks are of Muslim descent. The country is decentralised and comprised of two political entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Croats and Bosniaks) and Republika Srpska (Serbs), which was determined by the peace in Dayton. A citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina is often identified in English simply as a Bosnian.

In Bosnia however, the distinction between a Bosnian and a Herzegovinian is maintained as a regional, rather than an ethnic distinction. The telephone calling code of the country is +387. The national currency is the Euro-pegged Convertible Mark (BAM, locally KM), controlled by a currency board. One Euro is approximatelly equal to 1,95 BAM (KM). Sarajevo is the capital and the largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina with a total population of approximately 600 000 people. Sarajevo is situated in the area called the Sarajevo Field and the whole area is surrounded by the Olympic mountains. The average altitude of the urban center of Srajevo is 500 m (1640 feet). The mountains surrounding Sarajevo are called the Olympic mountains as Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympic games in 1984, thus even today some refer to Sarajevo as the Olympic City. Snow sports and winter recreation is a must of Sarajevo. Its Bjelesnica and Jahorina mountains are one of the best European winter leisure spots.

Sarajevo is located in the Central European Time zone (GMT +1) which basically means that it is already 1 pm in Sarajevo when it is noon in London. Sarajevo has a mild continental climate with average summer temperature of 19,1°C (66 °F) and avarage winter temperature being -1,3 °C (30 °F). The ones travelling from the US should better prepare with jacks and converters as Sarajevo has a 220 V - 50 Hz frequency electric supply. The tap water in Sarajevo is safe to drink as it pours down as cool as the source and tastes really great so don't get surprised when you see people drinking the water from Sebilj (the old traditional fountain on Baščaršija). You should follow the example. Public transport is the important backbone of the whole Sarajevo as complex network of trams, trolley buses, buses, and mini buses interconnects all parts of the city. Alternative to the public transport is the Sarajevo taxi service as the service provided is one of the cheapest in all of Europe.

For an example if you would to take a taxi from Sarajevo airport to the very center of the city it would cost you between 10 and 15 KM (BAM). Important Sarajevo numbers Sarajevo Sarajevo Sarajevo Excerpted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, located at 43ï¿½52' N 18ï¿½25' E. According to a 1991 census, its population was 429,672; currently estimated at around 300,000. The city is considered one of the most important cities in the Balkans and has had a long and rich history ever since it was founded by the Ottomans in 1461. It was the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which sparked World War I. Sarajevo had hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics and was besieged during the Yugoslav wars in the 1990s. Sarajevo is part of Canton Sarajevo, one of the ten Cantons in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The river Miljacka runs through the city. Geography Sarajevo is located close to the geometric center of the triangularly-shaped Bosnia and Herzegovina, and covers 142 kmï¿½(88.2 miï¿½) of land. The core of the city is built in the Sarajevo valley (also translated as Sarajevo field), a small depression 500 meters above sea level, nestled between the surrounding mountains. Although much of the city itself is relatively flat, some of the outskirts and far eastern parts are hilly. Neighborhoods in the old town in particular are well known for their steep streets and landscape. The river Miljacka flows through the city from east to west and is one of the city's chief geographic features. The source of the river Bosna, Vrelo Bosne is found on the city's outskirts near Ilidza and is one of the most well known natural landmarks in the country. The city is surrounded by five major mountains. In 1984 Bosnia and Herzegovina was the host of the Winter Olympic Games.

The unique beauty of this jewel of the Central Europe, the natural wealth that is contained in its fresh and healthy air, mineral and thermal water and the resourceful potential for the enjoying different sports, made Sarajevo and the rest of Bosnia and Herzegovina famous all around the world. They are part of the Dinaric Alps mountain range that winds through Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia and Montenegro. The mountains; Bjelasnica: 2067 meters (6782 ft), southwest Igman: 1502 meters (4928 ft), southwest Jahorina: 1913 meters (6276 ft), southeast Trebevic: 1627 meters (5338 ft), southeast Treskavica: 2088 meters (6950 ft), are popular tourist attractions for hiking and skiing. North Sarajevo itself is part of Bosnia proper, known for its mountainous and heavily forested landscape. Natural disasters pose little threat in the region, although small earthquakes have been known to occur. Sarajevo has a continental climate, lying between the climate zones of central Europe to the North and the Mediterranean to the South.

Sarajevo experiences warm summers, with temperatures of 35 ï¿½C (95 ï¿½F) not being uncommon, and cold winters, when snow is guaranteed due to the city's altitude. History The area of present day Sarajevo has a long and rich history dating back to the Stone age, when the Butmir Culture flourished in the area. However, little material evidence of this is available, mostly due to later construction. Several Illyrian settlements existed in the area before it was conquered by Rome in 9 CE. During Roman times, a town named Aquae Sulphurae existed on the location of present day Ilidza, a Sarajevo suburb to the southwest of the city. The year usually mentioned as the city's founding is 1461, when the first Ottoman governor of Bosnia, Isa-beg Ishakovic, transformed this village cluster into a city and a state capital by building a number of key objects, including a mosque, a closed marketplace, a public bath, a hostel and the Governor's castle (Saray) which gave the city its present name.

Sarajevo flourished in the 16th century when its greatest donor and builder Gazi Husrev-beg built most of what is now the old city. By the late 17th century, Sarajevo was the most important city in the Balkans after Istanbul. In a raid led by Prince Eugene of Savoy in 1697 against the Ottoman Empire, Sarajevo was burned down and leveled. The city was later rebuilt, but never fully recovered from the destruction. The capital of Bosnia was transferred to Travnik. In 1878, Bosnia was occupied by Austria-Hungary, and Sarajevo was quickly brought up to the standards of the industrial age. In the event that triggered World War I, Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria and his wife were assassinated in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914. Following the war, in the kingdom of Yugoslavia, Sarajevo was the capital of the Drinska banovina, one of the country's chief provinces. After World War II, Sarajevo grew rapidly as it became an important regional industrial center in Yugoslavia.

Modern city blocks were built west of the old city, adding to Sarajevo's architectural uniqueness. The peak of city growth occurred in the early 1980s, when Sarajevo hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics. On April 6, 1992, Sarajevo was surrounded by forces of Bosnian Serbs. The warfare that lasted until October 1995 resulted in large scale destruction and dramatic population shifts. Reconstruction of Sarajevo started as soon as the war ended, in 1995. By 2003, most of the city had been rebuilt, with only a few remaining visible ruins in the city center. Modern business buildings and skyscrapers have since been constructed throughout the city. In terms of politics, Sarajevo is the most important city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the capital of the entire country, as well as the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina sub-entity. Sarajevo is also the obvious center of politics for the Sarajevo Canton. A recent estimate for the greater Sarajevo area has the population in mid-2004 at 401,687.

Economy Sarajevo is economically one of the strongest regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Like many other major cities, its economy is largely based on industries such as manufacturing and tourism. Sarajevo's main manufacturing products includes production of foods and beverages, textiles, furniture, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and metalworking. Sarajevo companies also produce unique brands of alcohol, and cigarettes. A variety of important economic institutions are to be found in Sarajevo. Sarajevo is said to be the only city in the world where, in the same time, you can hear the calls for prayer from Catholic and Orthodox churches, mosques and synagogues. Sarayliyas are known for being modern cultured city dwellers. Tourism is one of Sarajevo's major industries, and is constantly growing now with stability in the region. Sarajevo's mountain ranges and Olympic facilities make it an ideal location for winter sports. Another reason for Sarajevo's popularity among tourists is its 600 years of accumulated history, which have been impacted by both Western and Eastern empires.

Indeed, even long before that Sarajevo was a popular stop for travelers in the Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian empires, and is mentioned in traveling books from all sides of Europe and the Middle East. One of the first structures built in the city was an inn. Various types of tourism are popular in Sarajevo. War tourism focuses on the war years, and the famous spots of the siege of Sarajevo. Some are interested specifically in the historical aspects of the city, while thousands come for the area's nature. Summer is the busiest season for Sarajevo tourism, as thousands of tourists visit from foreign countries. Sarajevo is full of interesting and notable structures that tourists find attractive. Some notable examples include the mountains Igman and Bjelasnica, Vrelo Bosne park, the Sarajevo cathedral, and the Gazi Husrev-Beg Mosque among others. Transportation Geographic and historical factors have combined to make Sarajevo a very small city for its population. Due to this and a lack of parking structures, it is very difficult to find places for parking. Sarajevo makes up for this with its traditional old world city planning, which allows for pedestrians to easily walk to wherever they need to go.

Public transportation is very common and has a long tradition in Sarajevo. The chief methods of this are tramways, trolleys, and buses. Tramways in fact, were first introduced to Europe in Sarajevo during the late 19th century by Austria-Hungarian officials. The railroad has always been very important in Sarajevo. A highway that connects Sarajevo with Budapest and central Europe is being modernized, but presently it is at some spots little more than a paved countryside road. The speed limit at most parts is 60 or 80 km/h. Education The first university in Sarajevo was a school of Sufi philosophy established by Gazi Husrev-beg in 1531. Over the years, numerous other religious schools were established as well. The Sarajevo library, in its prime, was in the same category as the Madrassa of Beyazid II. The annexation of Bosnia by Austria-Hungary introduced Sarajevo to Western education. The first high school in Sarajevo was established in 1887.

Starting in the 1940s, numerous modern faculties were added to the University of Sarajevo for a wide variety of professions ranging from economics to forestry. Sarajevo today also has 46 elementary schools (Grades 1-8), and 19 high schools (Grades 9-12). The University of Sarajevo includes faculties for medicine, law, agriculture, technical services, philosophy, and economics. External links

Question: Sarajevo is the capital of what modern country?
Answer: Bosnia and Herzegovina